Steering gear



` Patented Jan. 3o, 1923.

UNITED' STATES RUSSELL HUFF, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO DODGE BROTHERS, F DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN.

STEERING GEAR.

Application filed December 30, 1919. Serial No. 348,480.

To ZK 'whom it may conce/Mi.:

Be it known that l, Russian. Hin-r, a citizen of the United States, residing at Detroit, Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Steering Gears, of which the following is a clear, full, and exact description. j

This invention relates to steering mechanismfor motor Vehicles and the like, and L0 the object thereof is to improve the construction of the steering gear, particularly as to adjustment thereof, whereby such adjustment is more easily made, and the parts when adj usted are securely locked and held in their adjusted positions.

In the accompanying drawing, shows a tion,

Fig. 1 is a sectional View ontlielinel-l of Flg. 2;

Fig. 2 is a part sectional, part elevational view showing the invention; and

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings in detail, 1 indicates a support for a steering mechanism, said support carrying a. worm 2, which may be connected directly to the steering post. The Wormy 2 meshes with a worm wheel 3 supported in a bushing 4, carried by a bracket 5 integral with or secured to the support 1.

In order to provide for adjustment of the 'which practical embodiment of the invenworin wheel relatively to the Worm, the

bushing supporting the worm wheel is bored eccentrically, so that by rotating it in the casing 5 the distance from the centre line of the Worm wheel to the Vcentre line of the worm may be adjusted either to get the proper initial clearance, or to compensate for wear.`

In order to securely hold the worin wheel in its various positions of adjustment, I provide means supported on the casing forthis purpose. Preferably said holding or locking means consists of a notched flange (S secured to, or formed integral with the bushing, and provided with a pin 7 of circular section and having a flattened end which engages with the notches in the flange Said pin is carried by a plate 8 held against the outside of the casing by a cap screw 9 threaded into the casing.

To adjust the wormwheel, the cap screw and locking pin are removed, and the bushing is rotated To .facilitate such rotation, the bushing may be provided with flats vl0. to be engaged by a wi'encli. With the construction described, ease of adjustment is secured and the parts are also securelv locked, diie to the fact that the bushing ius locked directly to the casing, so that in case off-any rotation ot' the casing the bushing is carried with it.

In some constructions e heretofore employed, in which the bushing is locked to the frame ot' the vehicle, the proper relation of the bushing to the casing is not necessarily maintained if lfor any reason the steering gear as a Whole should be.` rotated in its support.

While the drawings and description disclose'al practical embodiment of my inven.

tion, itis to be understood thatvariations may be resorted to without departing from.75

vthe spirit thereof.

Having thus described in'y invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a steering mechanism, the combination with a worm and a worm Wheel, of an eccentrically bored bushing supporting said worm wheel at one end, a casing for said bushing, said bushing having means at its end opposite from said wheel for rotating it to thereby adjust said worin wheel with respect to said worm, said bushing also having notches adjacent said worin wheel and means carried by said casing for engaging said notches to hold said bushing in adjusted position.

2. Iii a steering mechanism, the combination with a worm and a worm wheel, of an eccentrically bored bushing supporting said worm wheel at one end, a casing `for said bushing,jsaid bushing having means at its end opposite troni said wheel for rotating it to thereby adjust said worm wheel with rcspect to said Worm, said bushing also having a notched portion situated within said casing and means carried by said casing for engaging said notched portion to hold said bushing in adjusted position.

3. In a steering mechanism, the combina? tion with a worin and a` worm wheel, of an eccentrically bored bushing supporting said worin wheel at one end, a casing for said bushing, said bushing having means at its end opposite from s aid wheel for rota-tin it to thereby adjust said worm wheel wit ruspe@ m said worm, sad bushng :d50 hav- 'mg 1 notchzd. purtmx within said Casing un mjacen @lo smd wmm wheel :md means casing for egggng smid '15o huid, sam bushing 1n respect said worm,4v sai/d bushing having a, nu'chec portion adjaoe 'gt said Worm wheel und a, pin carried y sai( casing und having a end end ibi tng into Said nmz-shed 

